Children in the Kitchen- Fire & Burn Safety

Children have a natural tendency to be curious, which could lead them into dangerous situations. Parents, grandparents, child-care providers and older siblings need to have a basic understanding of fire and burns.

• Be sure to keep your children a safe distance away from hot liquids. At 140 degrees F, a hot drink can cause a burn in 5 seconds. At 160 degrees F, a burn will occur in only 1 second.
• Avoid using tablecloths when toddlers are around. If your child tries to pull himself up by the corners of the tablecloth, he could potentially pull some hot liquid or a burning candle down on top of himself.
• Make sure that hot items are kept near the center of the table to prevent children from reaching them.
• Keep your children at a safe distance while you are cooking to protect them from hot surfaces, hot liquids and other kitchen hazards.
• Remember that microwave ovens can cause scald burns when used improperly or unsafely. Also, be careful with heated liquids. The container may feel only warm, but the liquid inside could be scalding hot.
• If you plan to use deep fat (oil) cookers/fryers, exercise extreme caution. The fat or oil could reach temperatures in excess of 400 degrees F, instantly causing serious burns.
• Keep pot handles turning in so the pots cannot be pulled off or knocked off the stove.
• Store all foods, paper towels and other items at a safe distance away from the stove so no one will be tempted to reach across a hot burner.
• Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacles near sinks and other wet areas.
• Keep your appliance cords away from the edges of counters. Make sure that the appliances are kept unplugged when not in use, in the event it is pulled on by a curious child.